UNL sophomore dies on spring break trip to Puerto Rico

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By Laura Chapman/Lincoln Journal Star

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore died unexpectedly in Puerto Rico Saturday during a spring break study trip.

Brian Smith, 20, of Omaha died of unknown causes, university spokeswoman Meg Lauerman said Sunday in an e-mail. Smith, who was otherwise healthy, collapsed and was taken to a San Juan hospital.

The UNL students were staying at the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras in San Juan, Lauerman said.

 She didn’t know what Smith was doing before his collapse Saturday night but believed it was routine activity. No wrong-doing is suspected, she said.

Brian’s father, John Smith, said the family doesn’t know the circumstances of Brian’s death. They were in the process of making arrangements Sunday to bring their son’s body back to Nebraska.

Brian Smith graduated from Creighton Prep in 2006.

John Smith said his son took his studies seriously and was on the Dean’s list at UNL.

Many of Brian’s friends gathered at the family’s house Sunday morning.

“He enjoyed life,” John Smith  said.

Smith was on a study tour of Puerto Rico offered through the School of Natural Resources. A professor, 16 undergraduates and three graduate students arrived in Puerto Rico on Thursday, Lauerman said.

They are scheduled to return March 24, but students were given the option of remaining in Puerto Rico until then or returning to the United States immediately.

In a prepared statement issued Sunday, UNL vice chancellor for student affairs Juan Franco said, “We are saddened by the news of this unfortunate incident.

“Our primary concern is that of students’ safety,” he said. “This was unforeseeable and we have no reason to believe there was foul play or misconduct in this incident.”

Lauerman said the university had not had time to plan any services or make other arrangements. Students experiencing grief were encouraged to visit counseling services available on campus.

John Smith said his son loved spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. He wrestled in high school and played Lacrosse in high school and at the university.

Associate professor Larkin Powell, who is leading the study group, said in a statement: “Brian loved the outdoors and he was a very good student.”

Powell has led previous international study tours focused on the ecology of natural systems.

Reach Laura Chapman at lchapman@journalstar.com.